The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-05-07
HOW ARE WE TO STRENGTHEN OUR
WEAK CHURCHES?
BY REV. f. L. LATHE.
Caledonia, o.

Caledonia, o..
There is one great problem that con-
stantly confronts the Christian church,
that grows more serious and harder to
solve every year, namely: How are we
to strengthen our weak churches
The question stands before us as
Christian denomination for solution.
The question is one that furnishes food
for thought. It is not question of
stocks and margins, or of worldly trap
pings. 1t concerns the greater inter-
ests of life, and is for the thoughtful
to consider and answer.
The truth contained in the gospel is
for all generations. Truth, like love
abideth forever, and the gospel truth is
the summing up and presentation Of
the truth of ages for the moral and
spiritual guidance and enlightenment of
mankind. Jesus labored and inspired
his disciples Paul planted, hoping and
praying that his work would not be in
vain; Apollos watered and fainting not
looked for the coming harvest. God
gave the increase. Christianity became
rooted in the world. It has had it's
struggles and triumphs. Hearts have
failed. But the great heart of the uni
versal Father, throbbing for mankind
has touched in its pulsations the hearts
of earnest, faithful men, and with a
living faith they have gone on in their
labors until the inspiring force and be-
nevolent influence of truth have moved
great mass of the civilized world to
holy thought and lofty endeavor.
The labors of John Murray, Hosea
Ballou, Whittemore, /. D. Williamson,
and others of the faithful workers of
the past, and the work done by our
older living ministers, ought to be fol-
lowed up with ten-fold more earnest
work by our younger men who are COM
ing forward to uphold the banner of the
gospel truth. The labors Of the past
ought not to be in vain. This work
done for the sake of truth should be an
inspiration to all-both ministers and
lay members-to work.
We have many weak churches. There
ought not to be any. What is the diff
Guilty, and where does it lie Are the
ministers to blame? Are laymen neg
hgent Now these are important
questions. Another point arises here
for consideration How are we to cor
rect and overcome the difficulty
The work of spreading the gospel
truth is no easy matter. Mems minds
are full of vain imaginations. Truth is
opposed from every possible standpoint.
If we would see the labors of Murray
and others sustained and prospered,
the very essence of the gospel truth
must be taught and lived by word and
example into the thought of the world
and the life of men.
Many of the parishes are weak from
the lack of disposition for thorough
organization, and church work. No
church need expect to thrive that has
no organized methods IF work, no faith,
no live church work "We haven't
much life here" is frequent express
sion. "What seems to be the matter?"
"Oh, our membership has been reduced
by deaths and removals." ''You have
had good ministers and preaching here?"
eyes" "Well, what is lacking ?"
An auctioneer in describing the goods
he had for sale, cried out: This spread
is alike on both sides. One side is just |
as pretty as the other, If not a little |
prettier." Now, all excuses for weak,
decaying or dead church are all alike. |
One is just as bad as the other, if not |
little bladder" Why, the very contin-
gency that a live, faithful church is
guarding against is the one of deaths
and removals. The life of church is a
most precious thing. Self preservation
is law of nature. The live church,
seeking to win souls, is not only doing
a moral and spiritual good, but is obey
ing the law of self preservation.
Fifteen souls become warmed by the
love of God and a church is formed.
The years pass by. No one is added
Deaths occur in the meantime, and re-
movaIs are made. With folded arms
that little church is breathing out its
Christian vitality, What is to be done?
The live church is beacon on the
hill top, a guide in the valley, bless
ing to the community, and is constantly
making good every defect: everything
that tends to weaken and lead to de-
cay. Provision for deaths is made by
wisely looking after the living. The re-
movals are guarded against, or should
be, in two ways First, by having the
filled by constant additions,